Muslim Cleric to Make History at Trump Inauguration Amid Controversy

DEARBORN, Mich. — Imam Husham Al-Husainy, a prominent Shia Muslim cleric from Dearborn, Michigan, is set to make history as the first Muslim leader to deliver a benediction at a U.S. presidential inauguration. Al-Husainy, 70, will speak at Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, alongside a rabbi, a Catholic priest, and a Black Evangelical pastor. The selection has sparked both praise and controversy, reflecting the complex intersection of religion and politics in America.

Al-Husainy, who leads the Karbalaa Islamic Educational Center in Dearborn, has long been a vocal advocate for democracy and peace. In the early 2000s, he emerged as a leading voice in the Iraqi American community, supporting the U.S. invasion of Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein. “Death, death to Saddam!” he chanted at a rally in October 2002, countering anti-war protests. His activism included meetings with Iraqi opposition leaders and participation in international conferences.

However, Al-Husainy’s political stance has evolved over the years. While he initially supported President George W. Bush’s Iraq policy, he later criticized U.S. foreign policy, particularly its focus on Iran. In recent years, he has aligned himself with Trump, citing the former president’s commitment to peace in the Middle East. “I support peace, no war,” Al-Husainy said during a Republican press call in October 2024, alongside local mayors who endorsed Trump.

His selection has drawn criticism from some pro-Israel and conservative groups, who accuse him of sympathizing with Iran and Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. “It would send a terrible message to give an antisemite and Hezbollah apologist a prominent platform,” the Zionist Organization of America said in a statement.

Al-Husainy, who fled Iraq in 1979 after Saddam Hussein came to power, has been a fixture in the Dearborn community for decades. His mosque, established in 1995, serves as a spiritual home for Iraqi refugees and hosts the annual Arbaeen procession, a Shia tradition commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. The event draws thousands, including local leaders like Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud.

Despite the controversy, Al-Husainy remains a respected figure in interfaith circles. He has spoken at mosques, interfaith events, and protests, often drawing parallels between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. “I want to build a bridge of communication, between Christian and Muslim, West and East, American and Arab,” he told the Detroit Free Press in 2003.

As he prepares to take the national stage, Al-Husainy’s message of peace and unity will be closely watched. “We need to see more democracy, more elections,” he said. “We don’t want to see more puppets over there.”